In Honor Of Cliché Day – Daily Shatzi: Thursday Theme

Hello Everyone and Happy Thursday 🙂

So, in honor of #ClichéDay, I though I could list twenty of the worst cliché phrases people have said to me during my short life. Some are funny, some are not.

I try very hard to be someone I can be proud of. I try to respect and keep an open mind about anything and anyone, as long as no harm or hatred is involved. It’s difficult sometimes because everyone, and I do mean everyone has some a priori, hang-ups about people and things. Everyone is a little narrow-mined when it comes to the things they don’t understand or the things that are different.

The trick is to acknowledged this flaw and overcome it. Curiosity can be a beautiful thing when it serves the purpose of tolerance. Why shy away from that?

Anyway, here is my list and if you have some example yourself, comment below!

You’re pretty for a black girl.

If I had never met you but spoke to you on the phone, I would have thought that you were white. You speak like a white girl. So articulate!

Oh, you’re french? What is your favorite wine?

Oh, you’re french? What is your favorite cheese?

Ah, a french girl? Born in Paris right? No?

You are black but you are beautiful.

Are you from Africa? Do you run fast?

Oh, you like Shakespeare? You don’t look the type.

You listen to classical music? But it’s not rap.

You know how to rap right? You’re black!

You know how to dance right? You’re black!

Of course, she can cook! she a girl! Her mother must have taught her how to do it.

Are you sure you want to play this video game? It’s kind of violent for a girl.

Hey, you speak English pretty well! I thought you french people only liked to speak french!

It’s cool, you are not arrogant like those french people.

I bet you do the french kiss pretty well.

You dress kind of weird for a french girl. I thought you all were really into fashion and all of that.

You don’t wear make-up? But… every girl do!

You’re actually smart! I’m just so surprised, I mean, you don’t dress like it!

So, when did you immigrated in France?

…

Those sentences were said to me or about me by people who sometimes just didn’t know better or outright wanted to hurt me.

I find it interesting and somewhat ironic that those people only managed to reinforced my strength and the pity I feel for them, instead of hurting me and making me hateful.

To my dear clichés-spewers:

I cannot mirror back to you this incomprehensible hatred, pettiness and fear you’re showing when you look at me and talk to me. Your prejudices and firm conviction that you are somehow better than me, or more human than me because we don’t have the same skin color, or the same nationality or the same gender is nothing but the sad, pitiful and somewhat bitter reflection of an obvious lack of education. But good news: it’s fixable. You can learn and actually know better.

As far as I’m concerned, if you are willing to try, then there is no hard feelings, and there is no need for recriminations or shame. I can’t say it enough, let’s keep our arms open.

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8 comments

I am so sorry you had to deal with such ignorance, Fantac! People can be very cruel under the guises of curiousity & criticism. Keep rising above the stupidity! As usual, another timely Shatzi. Thank you. To quote The Beatles, “All you need is love!”

#1 is the one I hear the most!! Oh my! I can’t even explain how hurtful that has been my entire life. I feel your disgust. Is brown skin really the most inferior and unattractive feature for one to have?

We must have a few things in common, because I have heard many of these (besides the French ones). I also very frequently get:

“Where are you from? (Ohio)… But where are you FROM? (Ohio)… No, where were you born? (Ohio)….. No, Where were you parents born? (Ohio)… Are you sure about that?”

I’m truly sorry you had similar experiences, but not surprised. It sucks but this is why we should never lose sight of who we really are. Not inferior, not unattractive, nothing less than anyone else.
I want to thank you for this strong and beautiful comment.
It means a lot that this article found people who can relate and sympathies. Thank you! ✌🏽️🙏🏽😊

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